I will say it strikes me as a much better way to raise money for stadium expansions, etc, than taxing the locals. Wonder what other team fans would jump at the opportunity like Packers fans – Cowboys, Bears, …? (of course, NFL bylaws would prevent any other team from trying the same thing)
Like you said, disallowed by rule now. As an English Premier League team follower, I’d say for very good reasons as well (they have a vastly different ruleset there, but the same dangers would apply).
So after expenses are paid, where does excess money go?
sluggo
4984
And tonight’s Dumbass Announcer Award goes to Brad Nessler, for the following, stated before 3rd and 12:
“Andy Reid knows field goals won’t do you any good at this point of the game when you’re down 17!”
Really? 17 points means you’ll need a field goal eventually, you flipping idiot. I agree with the decision to go for it on 4th and 1, but if that was 4th and 12, a FG would have been totally acceptable.
Sometimes it amazes me how little people who cover and call football games grasp basic strategy.
Apparently, the Packer Preservation fund, which is basically their rainy-day fund (since they don’t have a deep-pocketed owner who can sink in some cash if disaster strikes); currently worth just over $125 million, which seems like it could cover a lot of rain.
sluggo
4986
LOL Vince Young.
Seriously, that may have been one of the worst decisions I’ve seen a QB make in a long while. The defender was draped all over the guy before he threw it.
That’s interesting, but I’m wondering what kind of disaster could strike? With the guaranteed TV money and sellouts for every home game, the Packers seem mostly disaster-proof.
I wish it was the cities that owned their NFL teams. It makes me wonder why the city of LA (yeah, I know they’re broke) couldn’t figure out a way to come up with the money to buy a team. Wouldn’t that be better than owners using the threat of moving a team as leverage to get sweetheart deals from a city? I think it would be cheaper in the long run for LA to own their own team.
They can’t. NFL bylaws state no more than 32 individual owners for a team, one of whom must have at least a 30% stake – the Packers are a grandfathered exception.
Wow, the Eagles are the Titanic. They spent too much money on free agents and Vick. That is going to wreck them.
“Lockout” seems like the obvious answer. Or just to fund capital improvements.
And obviously, part of the deal is that since they’re a non-profit they’re not focused on maximizing profit. I mean, famously the Packers have that generational waiting list for season tickets; if they were trying to maximize profits, that basically shouts out “your prices are too damn low,” and any sane owner would ratchet the prices up a few notches. But keeping the fans happy is more of a priority to the Packers’ management than pulling in extra cash, so the prices stay “too low.”
Dream Team indeed, Vince.
Sarkus
4992
Sage Rosenfels was apparently released by the Dolphins after all.
Seattle sure is an up and down team. That would seem to bode well for the future given their age. Assuming they resolve the QB future. I still have a bad feeling that they might commit to Tavaris.
I believe the Packers are on record that this stock sale is intended to raise money for stadium improvements.
Sarkus
4994
Suh’s appeal was denied so he will miss the next two games.
And the Vikings claimed Rosenfels while the Cowboys and Bears both claim they have no interest in McNabb. It will be interesting to see if he passes completely through waivers.
Edit: and now its official, McNabb wasn’t claimed by anyone so he’s a free agent should any team care.
Man, with all the QBs that have gone down it’s a bit surprising that no one wanted McNabb. I guess the league must really be low on him. He’s only 34 and I haven’t heard of any physical issues with him.
He has been an absolute failure his last two stops, one of them letting him go to a division rival. He has nothing left it seems.
Scuzz
4997
He has not left his last 2 teams with a very good impression. I think Shanahan called him stupid at Washington and he didn’t last very long as the starter at Minnesota before they decided it was better to just bring in Ponder. Any team that claims him better run an offense he can handle.
Shadarr
4998
How big was his contract? Could be teams didn’t want to pay him starter money but will make him an offer to be a backup. Or it could be that the combination of a bad attitude/poor work ethic and not producing on the field gives him no value at all.
Somewhere, Dave Long is laughing.
I dont think he wants to be a backup so bringing on a team with his attitude will poison a locker room.
